I've heard about rescuing Mussolini but that's all..
Operation Pastorius was a failed German operation in the United States in 1942. 8 agents were assigned with the task of infiltrating the U.S. and sabotaging selected targets like dams and railways.
All 8 of the agents selected had lived in the U.S. at some point and 2 of them were U.S. citizens.
As with all secret behind the lines missions, the tiniest of things can cause disaster. Pastorius was well planned and had well-defined goals and everything was ready. Right when the first group landed in New York though, they ran in to a coast guard patrol on the beach.
One of the American citizens, George Dasch, had planned all along to betray the mission and he decided after to alert the FBI of the presence of Nazi agents in the U.S.
All 8 men were eventually arrested and tried by a special military tribunal. 6 of the 8 were executed.
After the failed mission, no other Nazi plots were ever attempted in the U.S.
One of the most successful elite German commandos during WWII were called the Battalion Ebbinghaus, later redesignated Regiment Brandenburg (which like many elite German units, eventually grew into a division).
The commandos participated all over different fronts throughout the war with much success (particularly early on), but at the cost of an exteremly high casualty rate. One battalion of the division (SS-Fallschirmjäger-Btl 500) had experienced casualties 4 times its designated size by the end of the war.
The unit was the brainchild of Theodor von Hippel, who used his vast experience of successful guerilla tactics in Africa during WWI while serving under the infamous Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck.
Every recruit had to be fluent in one foreign language, and were well trained in sabatoge and espionage, as well a wide range of specializations. A large percentage of the unit's roster were deserters or ex-convicts of German's enemies. Similar to their British and American counterparts, the commandos were also given a "suicide pill" in case of being captured behind enemy lines.
During the Invasion of Poland, they preceded the German armies in capturing key objectives well ahead of the main force, as well sabotaging infrastucture deep behind enemy lines.
They were also used during the Invasion of France (though with less success), and aided in the capture of the Low Countries via similar objectives used in Poland. The Abwehr eventually increased its sized to a full regiment, and played a similar role during the invasion of Yugoslavia and Greece.
After a short stint in the Afrika Corps under Erwin Rommel, the veteran unit was transferred east to enjoy its most success during Operation Barbarossa. When they eventually swelled into the size of a division, the unit was dividied into culturally-specialized battallions.
One of the more interesting stories of espionage happened when an attachment under Adrian von Fölkersam convinced a group of Russian deserters to rejoin them to the front. The "captured" Russian soldiers then aided his unit in moving uncontested in Russian terroritory. At the Russian city of Maikop, Fölkersam (under the guise of being a NKVD agent) convinced the entire garrison to surrender, resulting in a bloodless capture by the Germans.
Sources:
The History of the Panzerkorps Grossdeutschland, vol 3
In 1944 Otto Skorenzy, Mussolini's saviour, put together a team called the 'Greif Commandos', who would wear British and American uniforms, infiltrate the lines and cause general mayhem. This included the use of vehicles - they managed to scare up two Shermans, and 13 Panzers with cardboard fittings (!) to resemble allied vehicles. Skorenzy was not amused.
The mission was for the most part a failure, and as the commandos had worn enemy uniforms, they were all executed by firing squad when captured. There were also trials after the war in 1947, though Skorenzy and affiliates were all acquitted - helped in no small part by an SOE operative revealing that he'd worn enemy uniforms frequently on operations. It is worth noting that, recently, it became clear that Skorenzy went on to work for Mossad.
One quirk is that it popularised a rumour that the commandos were after the leadership (Eisenhower, Montgomery). Eisenhower was kept under house arrest. Montgomery himself was also detained as a suspected infiltrator. This reportedly amused Eisenhower.
Source and further reading
There is a good paper on the affair - Bedner 2009; Operation Greif and the Trial of the “Most Dangerous Man in Europe.” Western Illinois Historical Review, Vol. I Spring It goes into great detail on the background of Operation Greif, and the aftermath. Highly recommended.
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So I've heard stories about German soldiers being sent into allied lines dressed as Americans and used to destroy depots and cause chaos. Any info about them?